United Kingdom
Very strict: an application without accommodation proof is almost always refusedSince 25 February 2026, most visa-exempt visitors without British or Irish passports need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel, costing £20 and valid for multiple visits of up to 6 months over 2 years (source: gov.uk/eta).
Gov.uk guidance says a hotel or accommodation booking helps show a UK visitor visa applicant has planned their trip, but no single document - including a hotel reservation - guarantees the application will be approved, and applicants are explicitly told not to pay for accommodation before the visa is granted (source: GOV.UK).
GetHotelProof delivers a verifiable hotel booking confirmation for United Kingdom in 60 seconds, from $12.90. Every booking is a real, refundable reservation you can check directly with the property.
Visa Requirements
Most visitors to the UK either qualify for the Standard Visitor visa or, since February 25, 2026, need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if they're visa-exempt and don't hold a British or Irish passport. Genuine visitor intent - showing you'll leave the UK at the end of your visit - matters more than any single supporting document.
| Visa Type | Duration | Cost | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor visa | Visits up to 6 months per stay; also issued as long-term multi-entry visas valid 2, 5, or 10 years (each single visit still capped at 6 months) | £135 for the 6-month visa (~€158); £506 (2yr, ~€592), £903 (5yr, ~€1,057), £1,128 (10yr, ~€1,321) - fees effective 8 April 2026, non-refundable~158 EUR | Valid passport or travel document covering the whole stay, Evidence you will leave the UK at the end of your visit (genuine visitor intent), Proof you can financially support yourself and any dependants during the trip, or evidence of third-party funding, Proof you can pay for your return or onward journey, Accommodation/travel-plan details (e.g. hotel booking, host invitation letter) - helpful but explicitly NOT sufficient on its own and NOT mandatory per gov.uk |
| UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | Valid for multiple visits of up to 6 months each, over a 2-year window or until passport expiry, whichever is sooner | £20 per applicant (~€23), official government channel; increased from £16 before 8 April 2026~23 EUR | Passport valid for the intended travel, Required for most visa-exempt nationals (e.g. EU, USA, Canada, Australia) without British/Irish passports or existing UK immigration permission, Every traveller, including infants, needs their own ETA, Valid photo meeting gov.uk photo rules, Apply via the UK ETA app or gov.uk before travel - most decisions issued within minutes, though it does not guarantee entry at the border |
Transit Rules
The ETA also applies to most visa-exempt transit passengers without British or Irish passports. Every traveler, including infants, needs their own ETA before travel.
Documents Required
- Valid passport or travel document covering the whole stay
- Approved ETA (for most visa-exempt nationals) or valid Standard Visitor visa
- Evidence of genuine visitor intent - that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit
- Proof you can support yourself financially during the trip, or evidence of third-party funding
- Accommodation or travel-plan details - a hotel booking helps show your trip is planned, though it is not the deciding factor on its own
- Proof you can pay for your return or onward journey
Practical tip
Do not prepay or lock in a non-refundable hotel booking before your UK visa decision - gov.uk explicitly warns that submitting a booking does not guarantee approval, so applicants should use accommodation evidence that is easy to cancel or amend if the visa is refused or dates change.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a hotel booking for a UK visitor visa?▾
It's not mandatory, but gov.uk lists it as evidence that helps show you've planned your trip. What matters more is demonstrating genuine visitor intent: that you'll leave the UK at the end of your visit, can support yourself financially, and can pay for your return journey (source: GOV.UK, Standard Visitor: documents you must provide).
Should I pay for my hotel before applying for a UK visa?▾
No. Gov.uk explicitly advises against paying for accommodation or travel before the visa is granted, since submitting a booking doesn't guarantee approval. A free-cancellation reservation, like the one GetHotelProof provides, lets you include accommodation evidence without financial risk.
What is the UK ETA and do I need one?▾
The Electronic Travel Authorisation is required for most visa-exempt travelers without a British or Irish passport since February 25, 2026. It costs £20, covers multiple visits of up to 6 months each over a 2-year window, and every traveler - including infants - needs their own (source: GOV.UK, UK Electronic Travel Authorisation).
How much does a UK Standard Visitor visa cost?▾
£135 for the standard 6-month visa, with long-term multi-entry options at £506 (2 years), £903 (5 years) and £1,128 (10 years) - fees effective from 8 April 2026 and non-refundable regardless of the outcome (source: GOV.UK visa fees).
Does a hotel booking guarantee my UK visa will be approved?▾
No single document guarantees approval - gov.uk is explicit that hotel bookings are less useful as standalone evidence than proof of genuine visitor intent and financial means. Accommodation evidence supports the file but doesn't replace the other requirements.
Can I use accommodation evidence other than a hotel booking?▾
Yes. Gov.uk accepts a rental confirmation, or - if staying with friends or family - a host invitation letter along with the host's proof of UK address, in addition to a hotel reservation.
What happens if my UK visa is refused after I've booked a hotel?▾
This is exactly why gov.uk recommends not prepaying: a refused application shouldn't leave you out of pocket. A refundable hotel booking, like GetHotelProof's, can be cancelled at no cost if your visa doesn't come through.
How can GetHotelProof help with my UK visa or ETA application?▾
GetHotelProof books a real, refundable hotel in your name for your UK trip and emails a PDF confirmation with the property's name, address and your dates - supporting evidence you can include with your application, ready in 60 seconds, from $12.90.
